Ames, GlobalVetLINK take home top honors at state tech awards

The city of Ames was named the state’s technology community of the year by the Technology Association of Iowa Thursday night.

The group held its 12th Prometheus Awards at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines to highlight the work being done by tech companies in the state over the past year.

In accepting the award on behalf of the Ames delegation, Ames Chamber of Commerce President Dan Culhane thanked the city, Iowa State University, Story County and the local private sector for its collaborative efforts in recruiting technology companies.

“Everyone’s in it together in Story County, and as a result of that, good things tend to happen,” he said after accepting the award. “This is just one more thing that validates the work of an awful lot of people.”

Ames City Councilman Tim Gartin said the award was just the beginning of the city’s success in attracting technology to the area, but he believes that success will only come with continued efforts to attract business.

“Our better days are ahead of us in Ames and this shows the potential,” he said.

Brian Dieter, CEO of Mary Greeley Medical Center and board chairman of the Ames Economic Development Commission, said the award shows the city has a climate that promotes entrepreneurship, and residents starting their own businesses and collaborating with each other and ISU to produce new products.

“The entire community should be feel that they are able to celebrate as one,” he said.

Ames beat out Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, the Des Moines metro area, Spencer and Urbandale for the community of the year award.

Ames-based animal health company GlobalVetLINK took home two awards as the agricultural technology company and small- to mid-size company of the year. GlobalVetLINK CEO Cliff Smith said he was honored to win the award and credited the company’s employees for its success.

Smith said the awards should help the company’s efforts in recruiting employees. He said the company doubled its staff, which worked 60 to 70 hours a week and weekends to make sure the company met a new regulation that took effect this year.

“All that extra effort people put in, this helps them feel proud looking back, that meant something,” he said.

Smith also said the award helps solidify the company’s reputation among those it looks to recruit.

The Technology Association of Iowa is a member-driven advocacy group focusing on attracting and supporting tech companies in the state.